DJI’s RS 4 Professional seems to be unbeatable on paper, however if you happen to’re a solo creator, it would truly gradual you down. Capturing TikToks, Reels, or YouTube movies alone? You already know a gimbal is your greatest pal — it’s what retains your photographs easy whilst you transfer, chase B-roll, or movie interviews on the fly. That’s why the DJI RS 5 vs DJI RS 4 Professional debate is so related proper now.
DJI simply launched the RS 5, following the RS 4 and RS 4 Professional from April 2024. Each look spectacular, however they’re constructed for very completely different creators: one is fast, good, and solo-friendly; the opposite handles heavier gear and extra complicated setups. Pair both with aerial clips from the DJI Mavic 4 Professional, and also you’ve mainly acquired a full package for ground-to-sky photographs, filmed totally by you.
So as a substitute of asking which gimbal is “higher”, the actual query is: which one truly works for solo taking pictures? That’s what I’ll break down on this information.
DJI RS 5 vs DJI RS 4 Professional: Who Every Gimbal Is Greatest For
Whereas these are a few of DJI’s newest gimbals, I’m going to be trustworthy with you: DJI RS 5 and DJI RS 4 Professional have been designed for various customers. Yep, that’s proper, not the identical sort of purchaser. Let’s break down who they’re for straight away to keep away from confusion.
Who’s the content material hustler of the pair? It’s the DJI RS 5. This gimbal boasts a light-weight design and swift topic monitoring for sooner turnaround on social feeds. Glossy and straightforward to make use of, it may well hold you unbiased, making solo filming an actual chance.
In the meantime, the RS 4 Professional is the artist of the 2, designed for filmmakers with a heavy package. Supporting cameras as much as 10 kilos, it shines throughout unbiased reporting or movie-making, but it surely isn’t the best for a one-person workflow.
I’m going to say that almost all solo creators don’t want a studio-in-a-box; they want one thing that strikes with them with out slowing them down. However in fact, all of it relies on what you create. Let’s examine the DJI RS 5 and the RS 4 Professional throughout each class to see which one most closely fits your solo setup.
DJI RS 5 vs DJI RS 4 Professional: Stabilization
One of many primary causes creators put money into a gimbal is stabilization. Footage instantly seems to be unprofessional if it’s shaky throughout a stroll or wobbly when monitoring a topic. That’s precisely what gimbals repair—and it’s the place the DJI RS 5 vs RS 4 Professional debate begins to matter.
DJI RS 5
The DJI RS 5 makes use of DJI’s newer Fifth-generation stabilization, and in actual use, that further motor energy is noticeable. DJI says there’s a 50% increase in peak motor torque in comparison with the RS 4. From a creator’s perspective, that principally reveals up once you’re shifting sooner. Strolling photographs really feel steadier, and the gimbal simply feels prefer it has extra headroom earlier than issues begin to wobble. Vertical taking pictures can also be higher, which issues rather a lot if most of your content material is headed for TikTok or Reels.
One characteristic I actually like is the on-screen Z-Axis indicator. It reveals you, in actual time, how a lot vertical motion you’re introducing as you stroll. After I’m filming solo, that sort of suggestions is genuinely useful — it jogs my memory to decelerate or modify my steps. It’s not flashy, but it surely’s a type of delicate upgrades that really improves your footage as a substitute of simply wanting good on a spec sheet.
DJI RS 4 Professional
The DJI RS 4 Professional, alternatively, depends on DJI’s confirmed 4th-generation RS stabilization algorithm. It balances sturdy stabilization and pure digital camera motion. Footage stays easy with out feeling locked-in or robotic, providing you with that cinematic really feel.
It’s optimized for a variety of situations, like operating, low-angle monitoring, and sports activities. Vertical taking pictures can also be stable, though it doesn’t match the RS 5’s further motor torque. Nonetheless, for many solo creators, the RS 4 Professional delivers secure, professional-level footage that not often enables you to down.
Verdict: If you happen to want most management and good solo-friendly instruments like monitoring suggestions, the RS 5 edges out the RS 4 Professional. However if you happen to prioritize pure motion and don’t want the additional torque, the RS 4 Professional continues to be a rock-solid alternative that’ll deal with almost each shoot you throw at it.
DJI RS 5 vs DJI RS 4 Professional Monitoring and Autofocus
If you happen to movie your self or fast-moving topics, monitoring could make or break a gimbal — particularly once you’re working solo. That is the place the DJI RS 5 vs DJI RS 4 Professional comparability will get fascinating, as a result of they method topic monitoring very otherwise.
DJI RS 5
The DJI RS 5 introduces improved topic monitoring. It really works like this: as soon as monitoring is locked, the gimbal retains you focused within the body whilst you transfer, whether or not you’re strolling towards the digital camera or shifting aspect to aspect. For talking-head content material, vlogging, or social clips the place you’re each the expertise and the operator, this type of built-in monitoring assist is tremendous helpful.
DJI RS 4 Professional
The DJI RS 4 Professional, alternatively, leans closely on its LiDAR autofocus system. As an alternative of specializing in monitoring faces or our bodies instantly, it makes use of LiDAR to take care of extraordinarily correct focus — even in low gentle or busy scenes the place conventional autofocus can battle. In observe, this works greatest once you’re utilizing supported lenses and extra complicated digital camera setups, particularly for business or narrative work.
Verdict: In case your precedence is being hands-free and staying in body, the RS 5 looks like the most effective gimbal with topic monitoring for solo creators. If pinpoint focus accuracy issues greater than following a topic’s motion, the RS 4 Professional’s LiDAR autofocus nonetheless has an enormous benefit — it simply feels extra geared towards superior or crew-based shoots.
DJI RS 5 vs DJI RS 4 Professional Payload and Digicam Compatibility
Payload capability and digital camera compatibility matter greater than most individuals notice, particularly when you begin including heavier lenses, microphones, or exterior screens.
DJI RS 5
The DJI RS 5 payload is designed to comfortably deal with widespread mirrorless setups. Assume cameras just like the Sony A7 IV or A7S III paired with a mid-range zoom. Or Canon EOS R6 and R8 setups with RF lenses. Even Fuji shooters utilizing the X-T5 or X-H2 gained’t really feel restricted right here. For many solo creators, vloggers, and hybrid shooters, the RS 5 has loads of headroom.
DJI RS 4 Professional
The DJI RS 4 Professional payload, although, is the place issues step up. It’s clearly constructed for heavier and extra demanding rigs — full-frame cameras with massive lenses, cine glass, and extra equipment. Sony FX3 and FX6 builds, Canon EOS R5 with heavier RF zooms, or extra decked-out Fuji rigs really feel proper at dwelling on the RS 4 Professional.
Verdict: In brief, each gimbals provide wonderful digital camera compatibility, however they aim completely different customers. In case your setup is comparatively compact and creator-focused, the RS 5 is greater than sufficient. In case your rig is beginning to really feel like a small cinema construct, the RS 4 Professional is the safer long-term funding.
DJI RS 5 vs DJI RS 4 Professional: Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is a type of stuff you don’t take into consideration till you’re midway by way of a shoot and scrambling for a charger (been there).
DJI RS 5
The DJI RS 5’s 14-hour battery life is stable for day-to-day creator use. It simply lasts by way of a number of taking pictures periods, and extra importantly, it helps quick charging, changing into totally charged in simply an hour. Which means even a brief charging break can provide you sufficient energy to complete filming — an enormous win if you happen to’re taking pictures on location or hopping between spots.
DJI RS 4 Professional
The RS 4 Professional approaches energy a bit otherwise with its devoted battery grip. The DJI RS 4 Professional battery grip affords a powerful 29-hour runtime, based on DJI, which is nice for lengthy, steady shoots. However Reddit customers report considerably lowered battery life when the LiDAR is on. The trade-off is dimension and weight — it’s not one thing you’ll overlook you’re carrying. Additionally, the RS 4 Professional reaches a full cost in 2.5 hours, an hour and a half longer than the DJI RS 5.
Verdict: In terms of gimbal charging time, each fashions carry out nicely, however the RS 4 Professional (formally) far outpaces the RS 5. Nevertheless, quick charging and lighter weight give the RS 5 a sensible edge. If you happen to’re filming in shorter bursts and worth fast top-ups, the RS 5 feels extra handy. If you happen to want all-day energy, the RS 4 Professional’s battery setup makes extra sense.
Vertical Capturing & Social Content material
One factor I didn’t notice till I began utilizing a gimbal repeatedly is how a lot vertical taking pictures truly issues — particularly if you happen to’re making content material for TikTok, Reels, or Shorts each week.
DJI RS 5
With the DJI RS 5, the vertical mode feels prefer it was designed for social creators. It’s fast and intuitive — loosen a knob, flip the axis, and also you’re taking pictures vertical with out looking for further plates or adapters. When you’re in vertical mode, the stabilization holds up properly. Which means you gained’t lose momentum simply since you switched orientation.
DJI RS 4 Professional
The RS 4 Professional additionally helps vertical taking pictures, but it surely doesn’t really feel as seamless. You continue to should undergo bodily steps of loosening the axis lock knob, detaching the plate, and rotating the digital camera. That tiny further trouble provides up when it’s important to do it a number of occasions per shoot. For me, that interruption — even when it’s simply 30 further seconds — can break a artistic rhythm.
Verdict: if vertical social content material is a part of your on a regular basis workflow, the RS 5 makes it really feel pure as a substitute of an additional process each time you wish to swap.
Equipment & Ecosystem
Right here’s the place issues can get slightly gear-nerdy, but in addition very sensible if you happen to truly use these extras.
DJI RS 5
With the DJI RS 5, essentially the most helpful add-ons for me are issues just like the Digital Briefcase Deal with and the DJI Focus Professional motors. They don’t really feel further as a result of they make solo taking pictures simpler: smoother angles, faster management, and fewer reliance on an assistant. Bluetooth shutter assist for Panasonic and Fuji is one other comfort that saves me from lugging further cables.
DJI RS 4 Professional
On the RS 4 Professional, the ecosystem is undeniably deeper, particularly with LiDAR autofocus, twin focus & zoom motor assist, and DJI Transmission choices. However, I’ll be trustworthy, most of these equipment really feel like they belong in a studio or community shoot quite than a shoot-on-the-fly solo setup. They’re superb if you happen to’re constructing a critical cine rig or working with a small crew, however if you happen to’re simply making an attempt to movie weddings, journey content material, or social movies by yourself, the barrier to entry feels increased — each in price and setup time.
Verdict: Don’t chase equipment for the sake of it. Those that provide help to shoot higher by your self are price it. Until you’ve gotten a small crew serving to you, the RS 4 Professional gained’t make your life any simpler.
Verdict: Greatest Decide for Solo Creators
So right here’s the trustworthy takeaway after utilizing each of those gimbals in real-world solo situations:
For many solo creators, particularly these filming short-form content material, the DJI RS 5 looks like the higher general match. It’s lighter to hold, simpler to modify to vertical mode, has good monitoring that feels intuitive, and quick charging. In the meantime, stabilization occurs routinely, conserving you in your artistic circulation quite than interrupting it.
That mentioned, in case your work calls for heavier gear {and professional} focus/zoom management (issues like RED cameras, cinema lenses, or multi-camera setups) then the RS 4 Professional is the higher alternative. It’s extra of a mini manufacturing rig than a solo storyteller’s software.
What I’d purchase and why:
| Payload Capability | 6.6 lbs | 10 lbs |
| Weight | 1.46 kg with battery grip | 1.8 kg |
| Monitoring AI | Enhanced Clever Monitoring Module, touchscreen topic choice, ActiveTrack for individuals, automobiles, pets | LiDAR autofocus, ActiveTrack Professional, long-distance topic lock, twin focus & zoom motors |
| Stabilization Algorithm | Fifth-Gen RS Stabilization | 4th-Gen RS Stabilization |
| Vertical Capturing | Third-Gen Native Vertical Capturing | 2nd-Gen Native Vertical Capturing |
| Handles & Controls | Digital Briefcase Deal with with joystick & digital camera management, fine-tuning knobs | Normal deal with, twin Focus Professional motor assist, joystick & lens management |
| Battery / Runtime | 1-hour full cost, 14-hour commonplace, 30-hour with BG70 grip | Longer with BG70 grip (as much as 29 hours), slower commonplace charging |
| Digicam Compatibility | Sony, Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Fujifilm (mirrorless & mid-weight setups) | Heavier mirrorless & cinema setups (RED, FX6, full-frame mirrorless) |
| Fast-Launch System | Excessive — light-weight, quick balancing, intuitive controls | Medium — heavier, extra setup, higher for two-person crews or heavy rigs |
| Ease of Use for Solo | Excessive — light-weight, quick balancing, intuitive controls | Medium — heavier, extra setup, higher for two-person crews or heavy rigs |
| Professional Options | Elective DJI Focus Professional Motor, SDR Transmission assist, Bluetooth shutter for Panasonic/Fujifilm | Full DJI Focus Professional ecosystem, LiDAR autofocus, twin motor zoom/focus, video transmission, prolonged skilled management |
DJI RS 5 vs DJI RS 4 Professional — FAQs
Is the DJI RS 5 price it for solo creators?
Sure — particularly if you happen to care about fast setup, intuitive controls, and vertical taking pictures for TikTok/Reels. Its good options and quick charging make solo workflows simpler.
Is the DJI RS 4 Professional overkill for vloggers?
For many vloggers, sure, particularly in case your digital camera and lens mixtures are light-weight. The RS 4 Professional its higher for heavier setups {and professional} focus programs, not run-and-gun content material.
Which DJI gimbal is greatest for TikTok and YouTube?
In case your precedence is short-form vertical content material, the RS 5 wins as a result of it makes vertical taking pictures much less of a trouble and extra seamless.
Can the DJI RS 5 deal with skilled cameras?
It will probably completely deal with mainstream mirrorless setups from Sony, Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, and Fuji. However if you happen to’re operating cinema cameras with large lenses and equipment, the RS 4 Professional offers you extra headroom and torque.
